Maximilian, Hereditary Prince of Saxony (1759–1838) Maximilian, Margrave of Baden (born 1933) Saints. Maximilian of Antioch (died c. 353), Christian martyr; Maximilian of Lorch (died 288), Christian bishop and martyr; Maximilian of Tebessa (274–295), Christian martyr; Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941), Polish Conventual Franciscan friar and martyr

John was born in Dresden, the third son of Maximilian, Hereditary Prince of Saxony—younger son of the Elector Frederick Christian of Saxony—by his first wife, Carolina of Bourbon, Princess of Parma.During most of his life, John stood little chance of inheriting the Saxon Crown: he was preceded by his father and two older brothers, Frederick Augustus and Clement.